“I’m sure you’ll handle it expertly, as usual,” I say with a smile as I reach my office. Veronika simply shakes her head with exasperation and leaves me to my work.
Of course, I’m right. Veronika is able to handle the press with her usual skill, which is evident when I turn the TV on just before midday and catch the end of the briefing.
“King Lukas was asked to dance by a guest at the banquet and he accepted the invitation. He also accepted dance requests from his cousin Princess Sofia, Lady Kristina Patrovic and Alice Janners, the ambassador for the United States.”
“So, there’s nothing more to it?” A reporter asks.
Veronika shakes her head. “There’s nothing more to it.”
“What about the pictures that show King Lukas and Mr. Winters smiling and laughing during their dance?”
“I believe they were sharing an anecdote about the royal children,” Veronika says. “Mr. Winters is tutor for Prince Tomas and Princess Katarina and as we know, King Lukas loves his children a great deal. Any story about them would always put a smile on his face.”
I smile, admiring her ability to spin absolute rubbish on demand.
“Did King Lukas know before the dance that Jai Winters is gay?”
“Yes, he knew Mr. Winters is gay, but as I’ve already said, the dance was simply a matter of the king accepting an invitation,” Veronika says.
“So he wasn’t using it as a way to show his support for Prince Sebastian? Or Prince Aleksandr”
“If you’re going to continue to make me give the same answer over and over I think we’re going to end this press conference here. But for the record, King Lukas loves his brother, and his cousin, and will always support them. He doesn’t need a grand gesture to show that.”
Maybe I should let them believe that it was all about supporting Seb and Alik. It would throw them off the real story. Not that there’s much of a real story. It’s not as though I’m actually considering taking Jai up on his suggestion.
I wasn’t considering it. Not really. Maybe about five percent of me was genuinely considering it, but the rest of me was adamantly opposed. And yet, here I am, creeping through the dark hallways of the residential suites in the dead of night.
I stop outside Jai’s door, hesitating for a moment before pushing it open. His suite is of course much smaller than any of the royal ones, but it’s still rather generous. The door opens into a sitting room, which I see Jai has converted into a study, and beyond that is a large bedroom and ensuite bathroom.
I hesitate once again before padding across the carpeted floors to the bedroom. Jai is asleep with the blankets bunched around his waist to reveal a tan, toned chest and arms, the sight of which have my mouth going dry.
Why have I come here? Why have I come here? The thought is a loop in my head, the question causing a knot of anxiety to form in my gut. I’m about to turn and leave when Jai shifts, obviously sensing my presence.
“You actually came,” he murmurs sleepily. “I figured when you didn’t show up last night. But wow…”
“I’m not sure why I’m here,” I admit.
“Okay.” He repositions himself so he’s sitting up against the headboard.
We stare at each other awkwardly for a few moments and then I decide to drag a chair over from the corner of the room and sit next to the bed. “I need to apologize for how I’ve behaved since…” I wave my hand in the air, searching for the word. “The interlude.”
He arches a brow. “You mean when you sucked my cock?”
“Yes…that.” Christ, even just hearing the word ‘cock’ on those lips has my trousers growing tight. I force the erection away before continuing, “You have to understand, that is not something I do. It’s not how I behave.”
He eyes me curiously, his tone hesitant as he suggests, “You seemed to like it…”
“That’s not the point. It’s something that shouldn’t have happened. And it can’t happen again. Nothing can happen between us.”
He nods, his disappointment clear. “You’re a king and I’m a lowly tutor. I get it.”
I shake my head. “No. I’m a king and you’re a man.”
He stares at me for a moment before letting out a sigh. “And homophobia strikes again.”
“That’s the situation. It’s how things need to be,” I say firmly.
His eyes widen in shock. “Jesus. You’re gay, aren’t you? I thought you were just experimenting, but you’re actually gay?”
“Please, if you could say it louder that would be wonderful,” I grit out.
“Did Queen Lesia know?”
“Yes.”
“So she was your beard?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “She was my best friend and the mother of my children. Show some respect.”
His expression immediately becomes contrite. “I’m sorry. That was insensitive. I’m just…confused. I don’t see why you’ve had to hide this? Prince Aleksandr’s gay and no one seems to mind.”
“Aleksandr isn’t king,” I point out. “And he conveniently waited until well after our father was dead to come out.”
Jai nods slowly, dawning realization evident on his handsome face. “I see. I’ve read about your father, you know. It must have been very difficult growing up gay with that kind of…influence.”
The thought of my father has a cold shiver running down my back, as though I’ve been doused in ice water. What in hell am I doing here? Sneaking into a man’s bedroom in the dead of night? A palace employee’s at that.
I didn’t come here to apologize or explain myself. That could have been easily done in the light of day. I came because I was too weak to stay away.
With new resolve, I stand and give a firm shake of my head. “I shouldn’t be here. It was wrong of me to come.”
“Because I kind of technically work for you? Or because I’m a man?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Whoa, whoa, yes it does.” He’s out of bed and prowling toward
